In many Christian traditions, baptism is seen as a vital rite of passage, sometimes tied to salvation, membership, or belonging. Unity, however, approaches it differently. We don’t practice baptism as an external ritual. Instead, we honor its deeper spiritual meaning – an inner awakening. For us, baptism is not something poured over us or performed for us; it is a realization that rises within us as we become aware of the Divine Presence already alive at the center of our being.
The Symbolism of Baptism
Baptism, at its root, is about purification and renewal. It represents a washing away of the old and a stepping into new life. Unity fully embraces that meaning. What we don’t embrace is the idea that a ritual is required to make us acceptable to God.
From a Unity perspective, no ritual can improve upon the truth of who we already are. We are born whole, sacred, and infused with Divine potential. Baptism does not, and cannot, change that. So, while the ritual itself is not part of our practice, the meaning of baptism remains central: every time we release old thinking and step into greater awareness, we are experiencing baptism.
Why Unity Chooses Not to Use the Ritual
There are three main reasons why Unity does not perform baptism:
- We affirm original blessing, not original sin. Traditional baptism is often linked to the idea that humans are born sinful and must be cleansed. Unity teaches that we are born in the image and likeness of God, inherently good and whole. There is nothing to wash away.
- We focus on inner transformation. Baptism in Unity is understood as a spiritual quickening, an inward shift in consciousness. It’s not dependent on water, oil, or a ceremony. It happens whenever we open ourselves to Spirit and align with our true nature.
- We honor freedom of choice. Unity does not impose requirements for belonging. You are welcome here just as you are – no rituals, no preconditions. Our community is built on acceptance, not prerequisites.
What We Do Instead: Blessings
Even though Unity does not baptize, we do celebrate life’s sacred moments in ways that honor our principles. For infants and children, we offer baby blessings rather than baptisms. These ceremonies affirm the Divine nature of the child and surround them with love and prayer from their family and spiritual community. Instead of cleansing from sin, a Unity blessing proclaims: You are holy, you are loved, and we commit to support you as you grow.
For adults, we sometimes create blessing ceremonies for those entering a new chapter of life, such as marriage, or wholeness ceremonies for those experiencing health challenges. These rituals are not required, always flexible, and designed to fit the individual’s journey.
The Ongoing Baptism of Daily Life
In Unity, baptism is not a single event but a continual process. Each time we let go of limiting thoughts, we are “baptized” into a new level of awareness. Each time we open our hearts more fully to love, we are renewed. Prayer, meditation, forgiveness, and conscious living all serve as baptisms of the spirit.
Seen this way, baptism is not behind us, but always available to us. It’s not a ritual of yesterday, but a living practice for today.